The best time to visit Amsterdam is April to June and September: it is 14 to 20 °C (57 to 68 °F) in the afternoon, days are long and April is the driest month of the year. July and August are the warmest (22 °C (72 °F)), but also the busiest. Winter is cool and gray, offset by museums and the lights of December.
Amsterdam has an oceanic climate: no great heat or severe cold, but wind and showers in every season. Contrary to popular belief, winter is not the wettest season: late summer and autumn are. For a city visit, crowds and hotel prices often matter more than the weather: in April, the tulip bloom and King’s Day draw huge numbers of visitors. Here is how to choose, based on the official normals of the KNMI (the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute).
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When to go to Amsterdam at a glance
- Best times April to June and September
- For tulips from late March to mid-May, at Keukenhof and in the fields between Haarlem and Leiden
- Warmest month July, with an average high of 22.5 °C (73 °F)
- Driest month April, with 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain
- Wettest month August (99 mm (3.9 in)), followed by October and November
- Big celebration King’s Day (Koningsdag), on April 27 (April 26 if the 27th falls on a Sunday)
- Cheapest period January, February and November, outside holidays and major events
When to go to Amsterdam by priority
- Best weather: April to June and September; April is the driest month (40 mm (1.6 in))
- Cheapest: January, February and November, outside holidays and major events
- Fewest crowds: January, February and November; September is the best compromise between mild weather and crowds
- Events: Keukenhof from late March to mid-May, King’s Day on April 27 (April 26 if a Sunday), Pride in early August, Amsterdam Dance Event in October; check dates every year
Amsterdam: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: April, may, June, September
❌ Period to avoid: November
Climate and weather in Amsterdam month by month
The table below uses the normals of the Amsterdam-Schiphol station, at the airport about 15 km (9 mi) from the center. It is the KNMI’s reference station for the Amsterdam region.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2 °C (43 °F) | 1.2 °C (34 °F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cool and gray, quiet museums |
| February | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 1.0 °C (34 °F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cool, low prices outside holidays |
| March | 10.1 °C (50 °F) | 2.8 °C (37 °F) | 52 mm (2.0 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Timid spring, Keukenhof opens |
| April | 14.3 °C (58 °F) | 5.2 °C (41 °F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | Very high | High | ✅ Tulips and King’s Day, the driest month |
| May | 17.8 °C (64 °F) | 8.6 °C (47 °F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | High | High | ✅ Mild, long days |
| June | 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 11.3 °C (52 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | High | High | ✅ Ideal for cycling and terraces |
| July | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 13.5 °C (56 °F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Warmest, but crowded |
| August | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Warm, the wettest month |
| September | 19.2 °C (67 °F) | 11.0 °C (52 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Mild, fewer crowds |
| October | 14.7 °C (58 °F) | 7.7 °C (46 °F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | Moderate (holidays) | Moderate | ⚠️ Autumn colors, rain and wind |
| November | 10.0 °C (50 °F) | 4.5 °C (40 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Gray, windy, short days |
| December | 6.9 °C (44 °F) | 1.5 °C (35 °F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | Moderate to high (festive season) | Moderate → high | ⚠️ Cool, lights and Christmas markets |
Note: rain falls mostly in short showers interspersed with sunny spells, rather than whole days of rain. The North Sea wind makes temperatures feel cooler than they are, especially on a bike and along the IJ. In December the sun sets around 4:30 pm; in June, after 10 pm.
Amsterdam’s seasons: pros and cons
Spring (March to May): tulips and King’s Day
March is still cool (10 °C (50 °F)). April turns mild (14 °C (57 °F)) and is the driest month of the year. The Keukenhof flower park, in Lisse, opens only in spring, from late March to mid-May or so, with dates that change every year. On April 27, King’s Day turns the city into an orange street party, with flea markets and boats on the canals. May is calmer and very pleasant (18 °C (64 °F)).
- Pros: tulips, lengthening days, dry months, terraces reopening
- Cons: very expensive, fully booked hotels around King’s Day and Easter, cool mornings
- Our tip: mid-April to mid-May to combine Amsterdam and Keukenhof, avoiding April 27 if you want quiet
Summer (June to August): the city outdoors
It is 20 to 22 °C (68 to 72 °F) in the afternoon, rarely more, with very long evenings. You tour the canals by boat, picnic in Vondelpark and reach Zandvoort beach in under an hour by train. On the other hand, July and August are the busiest and most expensive months, and August is the wettest of the year. Heat waves remain occasional.
- Pros: mild weather without scorching heat, long evenings, festivals and terraces
- Cons: crowds in the center and at museums, highest prices, frequent showers in August
- Our tip: June, before the July-August peak
Autumn (September to November): the shoulder season
September stays mild (19 °C (66 °F)) and much calmer than summer. October brings autumn colors to the parks and along the canals, but also rain and wind. November is gray, windy and short: it is the month of museums and brown cafés.
- Pros: fewer crowds, prices falling from October
- Cons: increasingly frequent rain and wind, days shortening fast
- Our tip: the first half of September is the best compromise
Winter (December to February): museums and lights
It is 6 to 7 °C (43 to 45 °F) in the afternoon and nights hover around 1 °C (34 °F), with often low skies. The canals rarely freeze. December is lively with illuminations, Christmas markets and the Amsterdam Light Festival, whose light installations can be seen by boat or on foot (dates vary by edition). January and February are the quietest and cheapest months.
- Pros: low prices in January-February, less crowded museums, festive atmosphere in December
- Cons: damp cold, wind, short days
- Who is it for? A cultural city break, budget travelers, fans of Christmas atmosphere
When to go to Amsterdam by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| City break and museums | All year; September to March for fewer crowds | Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House |
| Tulips | Late March to mid-May (usually peaking around mid-April) | Keukenhof (Lisse), fields between Haarlem and Leiden |
| Cycling and canals | May to September | Center, Vondelpark, Amsterdam-Noord, Waterland countryside |
| Celebrations | April 27, early August | Whole center (King’s Day), canals (Pride) |
| Beach | July-August | Zandvoort, about 30 minutes by train |
| Budget trip | January-February, November | Everywhere |
Major events in Amsterdam
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Late March to mid-May | Keukenhof flower park opens (dates vary) | Lisse, about 40 km (25 mi) away |
| April 27 (April 26 if a Sunday) | King’s Day (Koningsdag): national holiday, flea markets, concerts | Whole city, especially the center and the Jordaan |
| May 5 | Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) | Concerts and festivals across the country |
| Early August | Pride Amsterdam, with the boat parade on the canals | Prinsengracht, Amstel |
| October | Amsterdam Dance Event (electronic music) | Clubs and venues across the city |
| December to January | Amsterdam Light Festival (dates vary) | Central canals |
Amsterdam month by month: what to expect
January: Cool (6 °C (43 °F)) and gray. Museums without queues, lowest prices: a good month for a cultural weekend.
February: The coldest month at night (1 °C (34 °F)), but one of the least rainy of the winter (55 mm (2.2 in)).
March: 10 °C (50 °F) in the afternoon, changeable weather. Keukenhof opens at the end of the month in some years.
April: The driest month (40 mm (1.6 in)), mild (14 °C (57 °F)). Tulips and King’s Day: book very early.
May: Mild (18 °C (64 °F)) and bright, end of the tulip season. Liberation Day on the 5th.
June: Pleasant (20 °C (68 °F)), very long evenings. Ideal for cycling and canal walks.
July: The warmest (22.5 °C (73 °F)), the busiest and the most expensive. Book museums and accommodation in advance.
August: Still warm (22 °C (72 °F)) but the wettest (99 mm (3.9 in)). Pride at the start of the month.
September: Mild (19 °C (66 °F)), far fewer crowds: the best compromise of the year.
October: 15 °C (59 °F), more frequent rain and wind, autumn colors. Amsterdam Dance Event.
November: Gray, windy and short (10 °C (50 °F)). Quiet and low prices, ideal for museums.
December: Cool (7 °C (45 °F)). Illuminations, markets and Light Festival; crowds at New Year.
When to book your trip to Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for accommodation. For April (tulips, King’s Day), summer and New Year, book 3 to 4 months ahead. Also book your tickets for the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum online, as time slots are limited.
Planning your trip to Amsterdam
- Entry requirements: see the entry requirements for the Netherlands in our travel guide to the Netherlands.
- Time difference: the Netherlands is on Central European Time: 1 hour ahead of London and 6 hours ahead of New York all year (clock changes on different dates can shift this by an hour for a few weeks).
- Currency: the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including for small amounts. Our currency converter can help if you combine the trip with a country outside the eurozone.
To plan your visit, see our Amsterdam travel guide. For a trip around the rest of the country, see when to go to the Netherlands and our travel guide to the Netherlands. To choose another destination by season, see where to go in April and where to go in September.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Amsterdam?
May, followed by June and September: 18 to 20 °C (64 to 68 °F) in the afternoon, long days and more reasonable crowds than in July-August. April is ideal for tulips, but in high demand.
When can you see tulips near Amsterdam?
From late March to mid-May, with a peak bloom usually around mid-April, varying with the year’s weather. Keukenhof, in Lisse, is open only during this period.
What is the wettest month in Amsterdam?
August, with 99 mm (3.9 in) according to the KNMI’s 1991-2020 normals, followed by October and November. April is the driest month (40 mm (1.6 in)).
Is Amsterdam cold in winter?
It is 6 to 7 °C (43 to 45 °F) in the afternoon and about 1 °C (34 °F) at night from December to February. The cold is mostly damp and windy: pack a windbreaker, a hat and gloves.
When should you visit Amsterdam to avoid the crowds?
From January to March (outside school holidays) and in November. Avoid King’s Day, Pride and the height of summer if you want quiet.
Is Amsterdam worth visiting in December?
Yes for the atmosphere: illuminations, Christmas markets and the Amsterdam Light Festival. It is cool and days are short, and prices rise around New Year.
Our sources
- Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI): 1991-2020 normals, Amsterdam-Schiphol station
- Dutch government (government.nl), public holidays in the Netherlands (King’s Day and Liberation Day dates), checked November 11, 2026
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
